SUMMIT COUNTY – Twenty-seven miles of shoreline along Dillon Reservoir is in substantially better ecological shape, thanks to a partnership between the Dillon Reservoir Recreation Committee (DRReC) and the Summit County Weed Control Department, which worked together this past summer to establish a comprehensive plan to manage and treat noxious weeds and remove trash.

With boat and captain support from Frisco Bay Marina and the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, the Summit County Weed Control Department treated noxious weeds along all Dillon Reservoir shoreline property owned by the Town of Frisco and the U.S. Forest Service. Denver Water completed noxious weed control for the remainder of the shoreline, including in the Town of Dillon and the Snake River inlet.

“Prior to this partnership, treatment of noxious weeds along the reservoir was handled in a relatively piecemeal fashion by the various jurisdictions that own segments of shoreline, including the Town of Frisco, U.S. Forest Service, Denver Water and the Town of Dillon,” Summit County Weed Control Manager Ben Pleimann said. “This approach allowed us to be much more efficient and effective - I think it was a great success!”

Crews treated noxious weeds on several acres and removed trash along the reservoir’s shoreline and islands. DRReC and Weed Control budgeted 10 days for the project, but the crews were able to complete the treatment in seven days.

“Good weather really helped us out, and being able to work from a barge on the water saved us a lot of time,” Pleimann said. “We learned a lot this year, and I think we’ll be able to be even more efficient next year.”

Canada thistle and chamomile were the most prevalent noxious weed species treated through the project. Both these non-native plants are problematic throughout Summit County, as they can easily outcompete native species and rapidly take over vast swaths of the landscape.

“This turned out to be a really great program that we look forward to continuing,” said Jason Lederer, Summit County Open Space and Trails Resource Specialist and staff to DRReC. “It also showcases the value of the interagency collaboration of the DRReC partnership.”

The Dillon Reservoir Recreation Committee (DRReC) is an interagency committee that manages the Dillon Reservoir Recreation Area, which includes the surface of Dillon Reservoir and many of its adjacent properties. Staffing for DRReC is provided by Summit County government. DRReC is comprised of the following agencies: Denver Water, Summit County government, Town of Frisco, Town of Dillon and the U.S. Forest Service.

For more information, contact Jason Lederer at the Summit County Open Space and Trails Department at 970-668-4213 or Jason.Lederer@SummitCountyCO.gov.